Program Requirements

Note: University regulations apply to all students at Laurier. If there is any discrepancy between the program or progression requirements outlined on this page and those in the university's academic calendars, the academic calendars are the official sources of information. The information below is from the latest calendar, and you may be following progression requirements from an earlier calendar. Students are responsible for checking the appropriate calendar. Contact your program coordinator should you notice any discrepancies.

Undergraduate

Honours Programs

* = 1.0-credit course‡ = 1.5-credit course

Note: A student may cross-register at the University of Waterloo for a maximum of 1.0 credit in each of Year 3 and Year 4. Timetable conflicts will not be accepted as a valid reason for taking an equivalent course at the University of Waterloo.

Honours BSc Biology

The Honours BSc Biology program consists of a minimum of 20.0 credits, including at least 10.0 but no more than 11.0 senior Biology credits. This program offers students an integrative approach to the study of biology, linking processes at the molecular level to the structure of whole organisms and processes operating at the level of populations and communities. The program shall include no more than 6.0 100 level credits and must include the following:

Required courses

BI110, BI111; BI226, BI236, BI256, BI266, BI276, BI296; and at least 7.0 additional senior BI credits, of which at least 5.0 must be at the 300 or 400 level.

1.0 elective credit (refer to Note 1), or both GL101 and GL102 (refer to Note 3).

Notes

Electives (3.5 credits in the program) must include at least 1.0 credit from outside of the major discipline(s) of which 0.5 credit must be from a discipline outside of those offered by the Faculty of Science.

For students considering graduate studies, it is recommended that the BI499‡ thesis be taken in Year 4. Students wishing to complete the thesis course must apply to the department to take BI499‡ by mid-February of Year 3. Admission to BI499‡ requires a minimum GPA in biology courses of 7.0 and will depend on the availability of supervisors. Admission decisions normally will be made by mid-March of Year 3.

PC142 (or PC132) are recommended for students planning to take senior BI courses in physiology and microtechniques, or planning a career in health sciences. GG101, or both GL101 and GL102, are prerequisite courses for 200 level Physical Geography courses; we recommend that students planning to complete the Environmental Science Option take either GG101, or both GL101 and GL102, in Year 1.

Senior HN courses count as senior BI courses to fulfill program requirements; grades earned are included in the cumulative GPA in Biology.

For progression into Years 2, 3 and 4, and for graduation, a cumulative GPA of at least 5.00 in Biology and an overall GPA of at least 5.00 are required.

Senior honours students are expected to attend all departmental seminars.

The following is a suggested schedule within which all program requirements can be fulfilled.

Year 4

Honours BSc Biology and Chemistry

The Honours BSc Biology and Chemistry program consists of a minimum of 20.0 credits, including at least 6.0 senior credits in Biology and 6.5 senior credits in Chemistry. The program shall include no more than 6.0 credits at the 100 level and must include the following:

Students intending to take CH490‡ should consider taking CH390 in Year 3 (refer to Note 4).

Students intending to take BI499‡ must take BI296 or CH390 (refer to Note 4).

Both PC131 and PC132 (or both PC141 and PC142).

Both MA100 and MA101 (or MA110*) and ST231.

Course Schedule

Year 1

BI110, BI111, CH110, CH111.

Both PC131 and PC132 (or both PC141 and PC142).

Both MA100 and MA101 (or MA110*).

1.0 elective credit (refer to Note 1).

Year 2

1.5 BI credits at the 200 or 300 level.

CH202, CH203, CH212, CH250, CH261, CH262.

ST231 (or ST230).

Year 3

2.5 senior BI credits.

CH215, CH225, CH226, CH350.

One of: BI296 (if not taken in Year 2) or CH390; or 0.5 elective credit (if BI296 taken in Year 2) (refer to Notes 1, 4 and 5).

Year 4

2.0 senior credits in Biology.

1.5 credits in Chemistry.

The BI and CH credits may include BI499‡ or CH490‡, but not both (refer to Note 5).

1.5 elective credits approved by the Biology, or Chemistry and Biochemistry Departments (refer to Note 1 and the program description).

Program Regulations

Electives (2.0 credits in the program) must include at least 1.0 credit from outside of the major discipline(s) of which 0.5 credit must be from a discipline outside of those offered by the Faculty of Science.

For progression into Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4, and for graduation, the cumulative GPA is calculated on the Biology and Chemistry courses combined. Progression into Year 2 requires a minimum average GP of 5.00 in CH110, CH111, BI110, BI111 and an overall GPA of 5.00. Progression into Year 3, Year 4 and Year 5 as well as graduation, requires a minimum average GP of 5.00 in Chemistry and Biology courses and an overall GPA of 5.00.

Senior HN courses count as senior BI courses to fulfill program requirements; grades earned are included in the cumulative GPA in Biology.

At least 3.0 credits in BI or CH at the 300 or 400 level must be successfully completed.

Senior honours students are expected to attend all department seminars.

Students who plan to enroll in CH490‡ in Year 4 are encouraged (but are not required) to enroll in CH390 in Year 3. By the end of the program, a student must have credit for at least one of the following: BI296, CH390, CH490‡, BI499‡. A student may have credit for only one of: BI296 or CH390.

The following is a suggested schedule within which all program requirements can be fulfilled. While other sequences are possible, many of the required courses have one or more prerequisites and students are advised to be cautious in departing from the recommended schedule.

Honours BSc Biology and Mathematics

The Honours BSc Biology and Mathematics program consists of a minimum of 20.0 credits, including at least 6.5 senior credits in each of Biology and Mathematics. Not more than 6.0 credits may be at the 100 level (except refer to Note 2).

Required Courses

BI110, BI111, BI226, BI236, BI256, BI266, BI276, BI296 and at least 3.5 additional senior BI credits, which must include at least 2.0 BI credits at the 300 or 400 level, of which at least 1.0 must be at the 400 level.

CH110, CH111, CH202, CH203.

MA103 (or MA110*), MA104, MA121, MA122, MA201, MA215, MA222, MA250, ST259, ST260, MA323 and at least 3.0 additional senior MA or ST credits, which must include at least 2.0 at the 300 or 400 level, of which at least 1.0 must be at the 400 level.

Course Schedule

Year 1

BI110, BI111, CH110, CH111.

MA121, MA122, either both MA103 and MA104, or MA110* (refer to Note 6 below).

Year 2

Either a 0.5 senior MA or ST elective credit, or MA104 if MA110* was taken in Year 1 (refer to Note 6 below).

Year 3

1.0 credit from the list of 200 level required BI courses (BI276 and BI296 are recommended).

1.0 senior BI elective credit.

MA215, MA222, MA250.

1.0 senior MA or ST credit (MA205 is recommended).

0.5 elective credit (0.5 senior MA or ST credit if MA110* taken in Year 1).

Year 4

2.5 senior BI elective credits.

MA323 and 1.5 senior MA or ST elective credits.

0.5 elective credit.

Regulations and Notes

For progression into Year 2 of the program, the requirements include a minimum GPA of 5.00 in Year 1 MA or ST courses, and a minimum GPA of 5.00 in BI110 and BI111. For progression into Year 3 and Year 4, and for graduation, a minimum cumulative GPA of 5.00 in Biology, Mathematics and Statistics courses combined as well as an overall GPA of 5.00.

If MA110* is taken in Year 1, the maximum number of credits at the 100 level in the program is 6.5.

Senior HN courses count as senior BI courses to fulfill program requirements; grades earned are included in the cumulative GPA in Biology.

Electives must include at least 1.0 credit from outside of the major discipline(s) of which 0.5 credit must be from a discipline outside of those offered by the Faculty of Science.

Senior honours students are expected to attend all departmental seminars.

The above is a suggested schedule within which all program requirements can be met. MA110* covers the same calculus topics as MA103, but includes a number of precalculus topics. Either MA110* or MA103 serves as prerequisite for MA104. Typically, students do both MA103 and MA104 in Year 1, or MA110* in Year 1 and then MA104 in Year 2.

Honours BSc Biology and Psychology

The Honours BSc Biology and Psychology program consists of a minimum of 20.0 credits, including at least 6.0 senior BI credits and at least 6.0 senior PS credits (refer to Notes). Refer to Note 1 for progression and graduation requirements. The program may include no more than 6.0 credits at the 100 level, and must include the following:

Electives must include at least 1.0 credit from outside of the major discipline(s) of which 0.5 credit must be from a discipline outside of those offered by the Faculty of Science.

Regulations

For progression into Year 2, a GPA of at least 5.00 is required in BI110 and BI111 and a GPA of at least 5.00 in PS101 and PS102 (or a GP of 5.0 in PS101 and PS102), and the overall GPA must be 5.00 for the Biology program and an overall GPA of 5.00 to maintain the combined program; For progression to subsequent years, the cumulative GPA must be 5.00 in Biology courses and 6.00 in Psychology courses and the overall GPA must be 5.00 for the Biology program and an overall GPA of 5.00 to maintain the combined program; For graduation, the Biology GPA must be 5.00 and the Psychology GPA must be 7.00, and the overall GPA must be 5.00 for the Biology program and an overall GPA of 5.00 to maintain the combined program.

Senior HN courses count as senior BI courses to fulfill program requirements; grades earned are included in the cumulative GPA in Biology.

If a thesis is completed in Biology, Year 4 should include BI499‡ and 1.5 additional senior BI credits (at least 1.0 of which must be at the 400 level), plus a 0.5 credit in senior PS. If a thesis is completed in Psychology, Year 4 should include PS499*, plus 2.5 senior BI credits (at least 1.0 of which must be at the 400 level); For students not taking a thesis, Year 4 should include 2.5 senior BI credits (at least 1.0 of which must be at the 400 level), plus an additional 1.0 senior PS credit at the 300 or 400 level.

For students considering graduate studies, it is recommended that a thesis (BI499‡ or PS499*) be taken in Year 4. Students wishing to take either thesis course are advised that these are limited enrolment courses; students must apply during the winter term of Year 3 to the appropriate department take these courses. Refer to the appropriate course descriptions for application details.

Senior honours students are expected to attend all department seminars.

The following is a suggested schedule within which all program requirements can be fulfilled:

Honours BA Biology

The Honours BA Biology program consists of 20.0 credits, of which not more than 6.0 may be taken at the 100 level; the program includes at least 10.0 but no more than 11 senior Biology credits. Students may use their senior Biology courses to fulfill the requirements for one of three streams (refer to Note 7). Students must complete a number of compulsory courses equivalent to a minor in the History & Philosophy of Science (3.0 credits) (refer to Note 8). They may use their remaining elective credits to build a second minor in another discipline.

Required courses

BI110, BI111, BI226, BI236, BI256, BI266, BI276, BI296

0.5 credit in Philosophy

HP201 or HP202

0.5 credit from HPS category B

1.0 credit from any HPS category

Notes

Senior courses in Biology may involve statistics, or an understanding of organic chemistry. Year 1 students are encouraged to consider taking MA100 and CH110 to prepare for taking further courses in these disciplines, as in some cases, MA241 or CH202 are required for success in senior Biology courses.

Senior HN courses count as senior BI courses to fulfill program requirements; grades earned are included in the cumulative GPA in Biology.

At least 2.0 senior BI credits must be at the 300 or 400 level.

Electives must include at least 1.0 credit from disciplines offered by the Faculty of Arts, which may also be used to satisfy the requirements for courses equivalent to the minor in the History and Philosophy of Science.

3.0 senior BI credits must have a lab and/or field work component (not including BI499‡).

Senior honours students are expected to attend all department seminars.

The minor in History and Philosophy of Science (HPS) requires senior credits in a number of disciplines. Students must obtain the necessary prerequisites for the senior courses that will be part of their program. (Refer to the Faculty of Arts chapter for a complete description of the HPS minor.)

The following is a suggested schedule within which all program requirements can be fulfilled:

Course Schedule

Year 1

BI110, BI111.

0.5 credit in Philosophy (PP110 or PP111 recommended).

3.5 elective credits (refer to Note 1).

Year 2

BI226 and BI236 (fulfills HPS category C requirement).

BI256, BI266, BI276, BI296.

HP201 or HP202 (fulfills HPS category A requirement).

1.5 elective credits (a minimum of 0.5 credit should be at the senior level).

Year 3

3.0 senior BI credits.

0.5 credit from HPS category B.

0.5 credit from any HPS category.

1.0 elective credit.

Year 4

4.0 senior BI credit.

0.5 credit from any HPS category.

0.5 elective credit.

Honours BA Biology in Combination with another Honours BA Program

The combined Honours BA Biology program consists of a minimum of 20.0 credits, not more than 6.0 of which may be at the 100 level.

Required Courses

Program Regulations

A minimum of 2.0 senior BI credits must include a lab and/or field work component (not including BI499‡).

Senior HN courses count as senior BI courses to fulfill program requirements; grades earned are included in the cumulative GPA in Biology.

At least 2.0 senior BI credits must be at the 300 or 400 level.

Electives must include at least 1.5 credits from a discipline outside of those offered by the Faculty of Science.

Research Specialization

New Specialization; effective September 1, 2017.

To be eligible for the Research Specialization in Biology a student must successfully complete BI499‡ with a minimum grade of A-, and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 8.00 in all Biology courses completed for the major.

Honours BSc and BA Biology with Concentrations

A maximum of two Biology concentrations within the thematic streams of program the thematic streams of program are permitted as part of the Honours BSc Biology and BA degrees. All concentrations concentrations require completion of a minimum 3.5 credits (including 1.5 credits of required courses at the 300 level, and 2.0 credits of eligible electives, of which a minimum of 1.0 credit must be at the 400 level), and a cumulative GPA of 7.0 (B -) in all Biology courses completed for the major.

Other Programs of Interest

Options of Interest

Graduate﻿

Master of Science in Integrative Biology

The objective of the MSc program in integrative biology is to provide students with a transdisciplinary approach to biological research that allows them to explore the answers to complex questions from a perspective that bridges the traditional subdisciplines of biology, across diverse taxa, over time scales ranging from short (physiological) to long (evolutionary). The program will require students to assemble the details of their research into a comprehensive explanation of biological phenomena. The purpose of the program is to prepare students for doctoral studies or employment in an environment requiring research skills.

Program Requirements

The MSc program is normally completed in six consecutive terms. Students may begin the program in May, September or January.

A thesis based on original research and defended before an examining committee is required of all students in the program.

In addition to the thesis, students are required to complete BI601: Research in Integrative Biology and one elective course chosen in consultation with the supervisory committee. To obtain credit in a course students must achieve a minimum grade of B-. Students may include one 0.5-credit course in their program from another graduate department with the consent of the supervisory committee.

Students must complete additional program milestones, including regular committee meetings, oral defense of a written research proposal, attendance at departmental seminars, training workshops mandated by the department, and presentation of a seminar at a Biology research colloquium. Details of the required milestones are outlined in the program handbook.